Press Releases

Ken and Natalie Klein Give $1 Million to Classical KDFC

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:28:00 GMT

CONTACT: Allison Engel
allison.engel@usc.edu 213/740-1927
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APRIL 23, 2013 -- USC Trustee Ken Klein and his wife, Natalie, co-chair of the advisory board for Classical KDFC Radio in San Francisco, have given $1 million to support the station. Their gift will provide initial funding for the station’s endowment as part of Classical KDFC’s $10 million “For the Music” campaign.

The Kleins’ gift is the largest single contribution ever received in the 66-year history of USC Radio, which purchased KDFC in 2011. USC Radio also owns Classical KUSC in Los Angeles. These stations are two of the largest and most listened to public radio and nonprofit classical music stations in the nation. More than one million Californians listen to USC Radio stations each week.

“Natalie and Ken Klein stand among USC’s most dedicated supporters, and their commitment to classical radio is evidenced by their extraordinary generosity,” said C. L. Max Nikias, president of the University of Southern California. “Their exceptional gift will do so much to bring classical music to listeners throughout our state.”

“This transformative gift for KDFC is vital to building our endowment and will encourage others to give to our campaign,” said USC Radio President Brenda Barnes. “We are so grateful to Natalie and Ken for their incredible support.” Barnes said that in addition to the couple’s financial gift, “Natalie Klein’s leadership has also been critical in helping us embed the station in the community and recruit new members to our advisory board.”

Ken Klein ’82, who earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and biomedical engineering from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, has served on the USC Board of Trustees since 2009. He is also a USC Distinguished Alumnus and a member of USC Viterbi’s Board of Councilors. Klein is chairman, CEO and president of the software company Wind River, based in Alameda, Calif., which he joined in 2004, leading a turnaround that resulted in Wind River’s acquisition by Intel Corporation in 2009.

“I care deeply about preserving classical music,” Klein said. “I see the preservation of this station as linking what the university is doing with the arts to the needs of the Bay Area community, which is a very important community to USC in terms of incoming students and alumni. With its six arts schools and its incredible support of world-class classical music, USC and KDFC share a common love of the arts.”

The idea for the Kleins’ gift evolved after Barnes gained approval from USC’s Board of Trustees to purchase KDFC and additional stations in San Francisco and Napa/Sonoma. USC Radio then converted the operation from a commercial station to a public, nonprofit one, and restored the station’s signal to the South Bay. During her conversations with trustees, Barnes frequently spoke with Ken Klein, who grew up playing classical piano.

Natalie Klein, who began playing classical guitar as a child, shares her husband’s interest in classical music and KDFC, which led her to join and co-chair the station’s advisory board two years ago. A graduate of Penn State University’s College of Engineering with a bachelor of science in civil engineering, she also studied painting and drawing for years. She has worked in oil- and gas-related industries, as well as in the computer hardware and software fields.

Natalie Klein said she recognizes the importance of an endowment for the station, having lived through the 18 months when KDFC was off the air in the Peninsula and South Bay while a new frequency was purchased.

“The San Francisco area takes its classical music very seriously, and I wanted to help preserve that,” she said. “Even more than KDFC itself, I feel that classical music is like art in the Louvre or other museums throughout the world. It’s an important piece of history and very important piece of our culture for future generations. Having it on the radio is like a museum of the airways, bringing this art to everyone.”

This gift is not the Kleins’ first to USC. In 2006, the couple founded USC’s Klein Institute for Undergraduate Engineering Life to enhance student life experiences beyond the classroom. The institute focuses on leadership, cross-disciplinary activities, service learning and globalization projects.

About Classical KDFC and USC Radio

Classical KDFC, owned by USC Radio, is the only classical music service in the Bay Area. It broadcasts on 90.3 FM in San Francisco, 89.9 FM in Napa/Sonoma, 92.5 FM in Ukiah/Lakeport, and 104.9 FM in the South Bay and Peninsula. The station has close partnerships with arts organizations throughout the Bay Area and is the broadcast home of the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Opera. The station can be heard worldwide online at kdfc.com.

USC Radio also operates Classical KUSC in Los Angeles, which can be heard from central California to the Mexican border. It is also online at kusc.org.

Trying to Place That Song? There's an App for That

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 04:49:00 GMT

Discover songs written about places with Geotunes, a new Spotify app from KUSC Interactive.

JAN. 14, 2013 - From bustling cities to soaring mountains, physical locations have inspired songwriters everywhere. With the help of Geotunes, a new Spotify app from KUSC Interactive, finding songs written about the world around us is now just a click away.

Within the app, users can navigate an interactive map of the United States and listen to hand picked music written about cities, states and landmarks from coast to coast.

“We’re excited to help people explore the relationship between music and their geolocation through this app,” says Brenda Barnes, president of USC Radio.

Not only does Geotunes display playlists of songs, it also tells hidden stories behind tunes.

From the small Midwestern town that moved Antonin Dvorak to write his String Quartet No. 12 (Spillville, Iowa) to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “City of Angels” (Los Angeles), Geotunes investigates the background of particularly intriguing tunes to connect them to their sometimes not-so-obvious geolocation.

Users can select themes, such as “bars” or “bodies of water,” from a drop down menu to read more about songs with similar points of reference.

Although it was built by KUSC, Geotunes isn’t only about classical songs. Geotunes was created for music lovers of all genres, from symphonies to soul music.

“We wanted to branch out of our usual catalog to reach out to a younger, omnivorous audience,” says Chris Mendez, director of KUSC Interactive, which developed the app.

To download the app, please visit http://geotunes.fm or http://open.spotify.com/app/geotunes

For media inquiries and/or to arrange an interview, please contact Chris Mendez at 213.225.7470 or cmendez@kusc.org

"It's OK to Sing Along With the Radio," Says Host of Pacific Chorale's Holiday Concert Airing Dec. 9 on KUSC

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:28:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gail Eichenthal 213/225-7400 or Kelsey McConnell 213/225-7504
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When you pair one of America's great adult choirs, Pacific Chorale, with the Southern California Children's Concert Chorus, add a magnificent organist and symphony musicians, and turn them loose with traditional carols and modern holiday music, the result is 'Tis the Season, a concert tailor-made for singing along to the radio. Classical KUSC will air the concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, as part of a series of holiday specials that will running until Christmas. KUSC is producing this special, and the station's Gail Eichenthal, who is hosting, says: "KUSC is delighted to be sharing with our listeners this family holiday concert featuring one of Southern California’s finest choral groups. It’s perfectly okay to sing along with the radio, by the way!"

Pacific Chorale, led by artistic director John Alexander, is the resident choir of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Orange County. The full chorale is joined by the Southern California Children’s Concert Chorus, organist Lori Loftus and Pacific Symphony members. The program includes works by John Rutter, Franz Biebl and Z. Randall Stroope.

Classical KUSC is airing at least two holiday specials weekly until Christmas. The schedule is:

Dec. 6: 7 p.m. -The Evening Program with Jim Svejda presents Chanukkah Lights, featuring The Chanukkah Story with Leonard Nimoy and the Western Wind vocal ensemble, and Handel’s Judas Maccabeus

Dec. 9: 7 p.m. - 'Tis the Season with Pacific Chorale and Southern California Children's Concert Chorus, organist Lori Loftus and members of the Pacific Symphony

Dec. 9: 11 p.m. - Welcome Christmas with Vocal Essence

Dec. 16: 7 p.m. - A St. Olaf Christmas with the St. Olaf Orchestra and Choirs

Dec. 16: 11 p.m. - A Chanticleer Christmas

Dec. 23: 7 p.m. - Holiday Wonders with the Los Angeles Master Chorale

Dec. 23: 11 p.m. - Echoes of Christmas with the Dale Warland Singers

Dec. 24: 7 a.m. - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with King's College Choir (live broadcast from King's College in Cambridge, England)

Dec. 31: 7 p.m. - KUSC's New Year's Eve Bash. This 7-hour program is our yearly exercise in mirth, mayhem and questionable taste, hosted by the inimitable Jim Svejda.

For more information on KUSC holiday specials, visit: www.kusc.org/specials/Holiday2012.aspx

About Pacific Chorale
Pacific Chorale is one of America's great choirs, delighting national and international audiences with exceptional choral performances since 1968. Under the inspired guidance of artistic director John Alexander, Pacific Chorale has infused an Old World art form with California's penchant for innovation and cultural independence. The Pacific Chorale is the resident choir of the celebrated Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and performs approximately 20 concerts annually.

Artistic director John Alexander
Artistic director of Pacific Chorale since 1972, John Alexander has received consistent acclaim for his inspired leadership, both on the podium and as an advocate for the advancement of the arts. In Alexander's long and distinguished career, he has conducted hundreds of performances of choirs and orchestras in 27 countries around the globe.

Host Gail Eichenthal
Gail Eichenthal is executive producer at USC Radio. At KUSC in Southern California and the Bay Area's KDFC, Gail oversees arts coverage, concert broadcasts and live productions. She is also the executive producer of Arts Alive, LA Opera on Air and the LA Philharmonic radio broadcasts. Gail began her association with KUSC as the Abram Chasins Intern in 1976, and joined the staff the following year. She began her association with the LA Philharmonic in 1978, becoming the first woman to host the radio broadcasts of a major American orchestra. From 1994-2005, Gail was an award-winning news reporter and news anchor at KNX-AM, the CBS News station in Los Angeles. She rejoined KUSC in 2005.

Classical KUSC is one of the largest and most listened to nonprofit classical music stations in the country, and is dedicated to preserving classical music as a living art. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Classical KUSC uses digital transmission technology to broadcast commercial-free uninterrupted classical performances. The nonprofit, listener-supported station has been broadcasting for more than 60 years and is a broadcast service of the University of Southern California at 91.5(FM) in Los Angeles; 88.5 KPSC in Palm Springs; 91.l KDSC in Thousand Oaks, 88.7 KQSC in Santa Barbara and 99.7 KESC in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo.

For more information and additional KUSC programming details, please visit www.kusc.org.

Classical KUSC Launches App for Digital Tours of Concert Halls

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:42:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Mendez, cmendez@kusc.org 213/225-7470
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LOS ANGELES, CA --- Exploring the most beautiful concert halls and opera houses across the globe now can be done from the comfort of your own iPad with WorldVenues, a new geolocation app created by Classical KUSC.

From the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City to the secret treasure of Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, this free-to-download app plots a wide variety of hand-selected venues on an interactive map for users to visit virtually.

Like a digital coffee table book, WorldVenues features robust profiles full of photos and videos to give viewers a glimpse of what it’s like to be inside the world’s most intriguing halls. Brief histories and lists of fast facts also are provided to shed light on each venue’s ambiance, architecture and backstory.

“We are excited to give classical music fans an interactive way to see the places where their favorite pieces were performed around the world,” says Brenda Barnes, president of USC Radio.

To navigate the app, users can search for a specific place or select a digital tour to see venues with a similar theme -- such as halls with ideal acoustics or haunted histories.

“Not everyone can travel to see these kinds of performing arts centers, but new media projects like this can introduce a world of music to a new generation,” says Chris Mendez, director of KUSC Interactive, which developed WorldVenues.

This is the second free classical music app KUSC Interactive has released. In September, its app Soundsnips was launched. Soundsnips is a new way to appreciate classical music while learning interesting facts about compositions, instruments, musicians and composers – all without interrupting the music. As each selection plays, written comments and explanations pop up on viewers’ iPhone, iPod or iPad screens.

For more information on WorldVenues, please visit http://worldvenu.es
For more information on Soundsnips, visit http://soundsnips.org

# # #

CLASSICAL KUSC AND PERFORMING ARTS LIVE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:46:00 GMT

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Los Angeles - March 19, 2012

Classical KUSC and Performing Arts LIVE announce a partnership that will greatly expand the event listing information available on the KUSC website. Under the arrangement, Performing Arts LIVE will provide updated classical music event information from its database to Classical KUSC for display on their online "Concert Calendar."

"We are glad to be able to share this information with the KUSC audience," said Michael Napoli, Executive Director at Performing Arts LIVE. "We are confident that this arrangement with Classical KUSC will enhance the ability of the Southern California performing arts community to connect listeners with the many wonderful classical music performances taking place throughout the region."

"We chose Performing Arts LIVE to provide us this important information because of their commitment and dedication to the performing arts community," explained KUSC President Brenda Barnes. "They are one of the few organizations that has comprehensive event data for classical music, theater and dance events throughout Southern California, making them the primary source for performing arts information in the region."

Classical KUSC is one of the largest and most listened to non-profit classical music stations in the country. It is also the most listened to public radio station in Southern California. KUSC is dedicated to preserving classical music as a living art. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Classical KUSC uses digital transmission technology to broadcast commercial-free uninterrupted classical performances. The non-profit, listener-supported station has been broadcasting for over 60 years. The station is a broadcast service of the University of Southern California at 91.5(FM) in Los Angeles; 88.5 KPSC in Palm Springs; 91.l KDSC in Thousand Oaks, 88.7 KQSC in Santa Barbara, and 99.7 KESC in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo. For more information, please visit www.kusc.org.

Performing Arts LIVE maintains the most comprehensive online directory of theater, dance and classical music event data in Southern California. Performing Arts LIVE is a community service that connects performing artists and performing arts organizations with their audiences. Event information is self posted at no cost by the event organizer and is accessed free by visitors to its website from Southern California and around the world. www.performingartslive.com

Contact:
Michael Napoli
info@performingartslive.com

KCRW AND KUSC JOIN IHEARTRADIO DIGITAL PLATFORM

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:13:00 GMT

New York, NY– January 20, 2012 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other radio or television outlet, announced today that KCRW, a Los Angeles-based public radio station with a worldwide fan base, and KUSC, one of the largest and most listened-to public radio stations in the country, will be available on iHeartRadio.

Beginning next month, KCRW and KUSC will stream on iHeartRadio, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s free, industry-leading digital radio service that offers more than 800 broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities plus the ability to create custom radio stations, delivering listeners everything they want all in one fully integrated service. iHeartRadio is available to consumers through the Web, mobile devices and automobiles and is the number one free broadcast radio app on the iPhone and Android.

“We’re thrilled to add KCRW and KUSC to iHeartRadio and make public radio stations available for our listeners,” said Brian Lakamp, President of Clear Channel Digital. “We want to be everywhere our listeners are with a variety of programming options to appeal to the widest possible audience, and adding these public radio stations to iHeartRadio offers listeners an even more interesting and diverse listening experience.”

KCRW is one of the most respected broadcast stations in the world, featuring an eclectic mix of independent music, news, talk and arts programming. KCRW is a cultural center for Los Angeles’ sprawling city. The station offers original programming dedicated to highlighting the best of everything with a passionate approach – from food and film to music and news. KCRW’s groundbreaking music shows are curated by a pool of talented on-air personalities, who personally pick every track they play. Artists like Adele, Beck, Coldplay and rising star, Gotye, all made their live U.S. radio performance debuts on KCRW.

“KCRW is always looking for exciting partnership opportunities knowing that even among hundreds of radio stations, what we offer is entirely unique,” said Jennifer Ferro, General Manager, KCRW. “By combining our compelling content and iHeartRadio's vast reach, we're inviting a new audience to discover and engage with KCRW.”

Classical KUSC is a broadcast service of the University of Southern California and is one of the most listened to classical radio stations in the country. KUSC is dedicated to preserving classical music as a living art and is a non-profit, listener-supported station that has been broadcasting for more than 60 years.

“We’re excited to have KUSC be part of iHeartRadio,” said Brenda Barnes, President of Classical KUSC. “iHeartRadio combines the power of radio with the power of new technology, providing our fans with more access to great programming.”

About Clear Channel Media and Entertainment

With 238 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations. The company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company’s radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and smartphones, and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others.

The company’s operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is a division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at clearchannel.com, clearchanneloutdoor.com and ccmediaholdings.com.

About KCRW: KCRW 89.9 FM is an NPR affiliate serving Southern California and licensed to Santa Monica College. The public radio station represents cutting edge radio at its best, presenting an eclectic mix of independent music, news, talk and arts programming. The terrestrial signal serves Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, as well as parts of San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, and Santa Barbara counties and the greater Palm Springs area. KCRW’s programming is internationally renowned and available worldwide at KCRW.com. KCRW offers an all-music channel, Eclectic24, an all news channel and on-air simulcast. . Podcasts and archives of our locally-produced programs and live band performances are available on our website, as well as on our smartphone apps for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry. KCRW’s acclaimed Music Mine app for iPad is dedicated to music discovery.

ABOUT CLASSICAL KUSC
Classical KUSC is one of the most listened to classical radio stations in the country. KUSC is dedicated to preserving classical music as a living art. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Classical KUSC uses digital transmission technology to broadcast commercial-free uninterrupted classical performances. The non-profit, listener-supported station has been broadcasting for over 60 years. The station is a broadcast service of the University of Southern California at 91.5(FM) in Los Angeles and Santa Clarita; 88.5 KPSC in Palm Springs; 91.l KDSC in Thousand Oaks, and 88.7 KQSC in Santa Barbara, 99.7 in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo. For more information, please visit www.kusc.org.

# # #

Contacts:
Angel Aristone
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment
212-377-7802
angelaristone@clearchannel.com

Rachel Reynolds
KCRW 89.9FM
310-214-4625
rachel.reynolds@kcrw.org

Brenda Barnes
Classical KUSC
213-225-7400
kusc@kusc.org

USC AND ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS MAKE AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT THAT PRESERVES KDFC AS THE CLASSICAL MUSIC STATION IN THE BAY AREA

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:33:00 GMT

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS ENTRUSTS KDFC TO USC, AND LAUNCHES CLASSIC ROCK KFOX 98.5 SAN JOSE, 102.1 SAN FRANCISCO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Erin Garvey
415.591.4080
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(January 18, 2011 – San Francisco, CA) – In an effort to assure the long-term availability of high quality classical music in the Bay Area, the University of Southern California (USC) today announced it has entered into an agreement with Entercom Communications to convert KDFC into a non-commercial classical music station based in San Francisco. In keeping with Entercom Communications’ commitment to classical radio, the company has entrusted the stewardship of the new, noncommercial KDFC Radio to a new nonprofit company based in San Francisco, commencing on January 18.

The new station will use the call letters KDFC, the area’s former commercial classical outlet since 1947, the result of a series of transactions involving several radio owners in the region. The new KDFC will broadcast over the two non-commercial signals, 90.3 and 89.9. KDFC will cover the City of San Francisco, reach north to Napa and Sonoma Counties, and extend to the Northern East Bay. KDFC programming will also be available via internet via its website and i-Tunes. USC has purchased the rights to 90.3 KUSF, from the University of San Francisco and 89.9 KNDL from Howell Mountain Broadcasting Company. KUSF will continue online as a webcast station.

“These changes follow a long trend of classical stations moving from the commercial to the non-commercial model, which has proved more sustainable for classical music because of the passion of its listeners,” said Brenda Barnes, President of Classical KUSC, the Los Angeles-based classical station that has been run by USC for over 60 years. “Because classical music has been transitioning, we contacted Entercom to ask if they were willing to work with us on a managed transition. “

KDFC has been a leading classical station in the country for many years, having received the National Award for America’s best Classical station twice. It’s the last of the major market classical stations in the country to go non-profit. As the sole radio station devoted to classical music in the Bay Area, the move to the new signal is intended to preserve the long term availability of KDFC classical programming for the Bay Area.

In addition to its call letters, the new station will also retain KDFC’s award-winning staff and facilities, leaving in place the personalities familiar and beloved by Bay Area classical listeners. As ‘The Voice’ of the Bay Area Arts Community for over 60 years, KDFC reflects the Bay Area’s strong identity and world class reputation for the cultural arts.

“USC recognizes classical radio’s value to the community and is committed to its preservation in the Bay Area, where many of our students and alumni live,” said C.L. Max Nikias, President of the University of Southern California. “California, with two great symphony orchestras, is at the forefront of classical music today, and we are happy to play a role in the stewardship of an important resource for 700,000 classical music lovers in the Bay Area.”

"As one of the country's most dynamic musical cities, San Francisco deserves a classical music station that continues to provide excellent arts and cultural programming," said San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas. "KUSC has a long and distinguished history and I have had the opportunity to work with them on many projects over the years. I am delighted that KUSC will be preserving KDFC as the home of the San Francisco Symphony."

“KDFC is not just a radio station, it's an integral part of the Bay Area music ecology,” said David Gockley, SF Opera General Director. “The shift to a public radio station will help prevent a precious civic legacy from going away altogether, which would be a tragedy. The Opera looks forward to working with the new KDFC to build a powerful and vibrant classical music experience for our friends on the radio.”

Entercom Communication’s recent purchase of heritage Classic Rock 98.5 KFOX, San Jose will now be simulcast on the 102.1 signal in San Francisco, making it the first classic rock superstation in the Bay Area. Bay Area listeners can hear Classic Rock KFOX on its new dual signal starting Monday, January 24, 2011. KFOX has a stellar lineup of air personalities, including Greg Kihn on the Morning Show, Tim Jeffreys in Middays, and Big Rick Stuart joins the lineup in Afternoons.

“Entercom is both pleased and honored to entrust the outstanding listeners, employees and iconic heritage of KDFC to the esteemed organization of KUSC,” said Dwight Walker, Vice President/Market Manager at Entercom San Francisco. “At the same time, we are excited about creating the Bay Area’s first full-metro mainstream Classic Rock station by building on the 20-year heritage and success of KFOX from San Jose. Bay Area listeners will now be able to Rock (and listen to the San Jose Sharks) from Santa Rosa to Santa Cruz on 98.5 and 102.1.”

Classical KUSC is one of the largest and most listened to public radio stations in the country. The station seeks to make classical music and the arts a more important part of more people’s lives by presenting high quality classical music programming, and by producing and presenting programming featuring the arts and culture of its broadcast communities. The University of Southern California has operated Classical KUSC since 1947.

Entercom Communications
Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) is one of the five largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States, with a nationwide portfolio of 110 stations in 23 markets, including San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Portland, Sacramento and Kansas City.

Known for developing unique and highly successful, locally-programmed stations, Entercom is home to some of radio’s most distinguished brands and compelling personalities. The company is also the radio broadcast partner of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Kansas City Royals, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Sabres and the San Jose Sharks.

Entercom focuses on creating effective integrated marketing solutions for its customers that incorporate the company’s audio, digital and experiential assets. Additionally, the company has a long-standing commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and environmental stewardship. Entercom stations play a vital, hands-on role in improving their communities, providing over $100 million in annual support for local charitable organizations.

The company’s radio stations have received numerous awards, including multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in broadcast journalism and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Marconi Awards for excellence in radio broadcasting. In 2007, Forbes magazine named Entercom one of America’s “Most Trustworthy Companies”.

For public inquiries, please call 415-546-8710 or email: comments@myclassical.org

CLASSICAL KUSC HONORS A FILM MUSIC LEGEND ELMER BERNSTEIN WITH TWO-HOUR SPECIAL SUNDAY, DEC. 26 AT 2 PM

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 06:47:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2010
Contact: Gail Eichenthal
213.225.7400

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More information on holiday programming at KUSC.org

LOS ANGELES – As part of its signature holiday programming, Classical KUSC (91.5 FM in Los Angeles) presents a two-hour special marking the 50th anniversary of Elmer Bernstein's most famous movie score: The Magnificent Seven. Cast a Giant Shadow: The Music of Elmer Bernstein airs Sunday, December 26 at 2pm. The special is part of the station’s extraordinary variety of programs for the holiday season.

Cast a Giant Shadow is written and hosted by film-music historian, author, and USC faculty member Jon Burlingame, who has become a greatly popular guest host on the station over the past five years. The program will feature excerpts from many of Bernstein's film scores and concert works, as well as interviews conducted with the late composer himself, discussing his approach to the craft of film music and the specifics of many of his scores. Rarely heard, out-of-print recordings will also be featured.

“We are delighted to enrich the season for our listeners with Jon’s exquisitely researched presentation on Elmer Bernstein, who composed some of the most familiar and dramatically effective scores in American movie history,” said KUSC President Brenda Barnes.

“It’s a joy to present another great film music special hosted by Jon Burlingame,” said KUSC Program Director Gail Eichenthal, who serves as executive producer of the broadcast. “This program was literally generated by popular demand; Jon gets copious amounts of fan mail following every one of his previous film music specials. Not surprising, since he is not only a great broadcaster, but easily one of the most erudite film music historians in the world.”

In addition to the classic Western music of The Magnificent Seven (1960), Elmer Bernstein wrote the Groundbreaking jazz score for The Man With the Golden Arm (1955), the epic orchestral The Ten Commandments (1956), the poignant To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), the jaunty war march of The Great Escape (1963) and another Western classic in True Grit (1969). Later in his career, he scored more lighthearted music for zany comedies including National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) and Ghostbusters (1984).

Bernstein worked in movies for more than half a century beginning in 1950, and continuing to compose until his death in 2004. During his last 15 years in films he was a frequent collaborator with director Martin Scorsese (The Age of Innocence) and such younger directors as Todd Haynes (Far From Heaven).

Nominated 14 times for the Academy Award, he won for 1967's Thoroughly Modern Millie. He also won an Emmy (for The Making of a President 1960) and was nominated for two Tonys (for How Now Dow Jones and Merlin). His famous television themes include the familiar National Geographic fanfare as well as General Electric Theater, Riverboat and Ellery Queen. The program will feature excerpts from all of these lesser known, and largely out-of-print, scores.

For additional KUSC holiday programming, please visit KUSC.org

Classical KUSC is one of the largest and most listened to non-profit classical music stations in the country. It is also the most listened to public radio station in Southern California. KUSC is dedicated to preserving classical music as a living art. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Classical KUSC uses digital transmission technology to broadcast commercial-free uninterrupted classical performances. The non-profit, listener-supported station has been broadcasting for over 60 years. The station is a broadcast service of the University of Southern California at 91.5(FM) in Los Angeles; 88.5 KPSC in Palm Springs; 91.l KDSC in Thousand Oaks, 88.7 KQSC in Santa Barbara, and 99.7 KESC in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo. For more information, please visit www.kusc.org.

KUSC’S PRODUCER BRIAN LAURITZEN HOSTS HOLLYWOOD BOWL SERIES

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:51:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2010
Contact: Gail Eichenthal
213.225.7400

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Los Angeles – Did you miss any of Gustavo Dudamel’s greatly acclaimed conducting appearances at the Hollywood Bowl? Including his U.S. opera debut with Bizet’s Carmen. Classical KUSC’s Hollywood Bowl Broadcasts are your second chance to hear concerts you may have missed. And if you listen to the broadcasts on KUSC, you hear the voice of yet another rising young classical music star, the station’s producer Brian Lauritzen.

Brian, a professional cellist, is as likely to be performing at a rock club as a Baroque chamber concert. He has played at Hollywood’s Hotel Café and been in the pit for Lyric Opera of Los Angeles’ performance of Wagner’s Die Feen.

“Brian has been KUSC’s producer since September, 2008,” said President Brenda Barnes. “And while the talented Dudamel is known for having accomplished so much by such a young age, Brian is actually more than a year younger than the Music Director. As host of the Bowl broadcasts he brings with him a fresh, yet knowledgeable presentation that I think all our listeners will appreciate.”

KUSC Program Director Gail Eichenthal, who hosted LA Philharmonic radio broadcasts for nearly thirty years, also praised the talents of her successor. “The LA Philharmonic radio broadcasts are immeasurably enhanced by Brian’s passion for music, his wonderfully quirky sense of humor and his fine writing.”

Lauritzen came to KUSC from WSMC, the classical public radio station in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was music director, host and producer of Chattanooga Symphony and Opera concert broadcasts. Remarkably, he was also, at the same time, a member of the Chattanooga Symphony’s cello section. A graduate of Southern Adventist University Lauritzen spent a summer as an intern in the Music Unit of National Public Radio working on such programs as Performance Today, SymphonyCast, and Creators at Carnegie.

KUSC’s Hollywood Bowl broadcasts air Saturdays at 2pm from August 7, 2010 through October 9, 2010.

ABOUT CLASSICAL KUSC

Classical KUSC is one of the largest and most listened to non-profit classical music stations in the country. KUSC is dedicated to preserving classical music as a living art. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Classical KUSC uses digital transmission technology to broadcast commercial-free uninterrupted classical performances. The non-profit, listener-supported station has been broadcasting for over 60 years. The station is a broadcast service of the University of Southern California at 91.5(FM) in Los Angeles; 88.5 KPSC in Palm Springs; 91.l KDSC in Thousand Oaks, 88.7 KQSC in Santa Barbara, and 99.7 KESC in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo. For more information, please visit www.kusc.org.

CLASSICAL KUSC’S WEBSITE WINS INTERACTIVE MEDIA AWARD’S BEST IN CLASS

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:51:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2010
Contact: Brenda Barnes
213.225.7400
Download as PDF

Los Angeles – Interactive Media Awards, Inc., (IMA) announced this week that Classical KUSC’s Hansel & Gretel: Build Your Own Opera website-feature for children won Best in Class, the highest honor bestowed by IMA. In presenting the award, the organization described the program as representing the very best in planning, execution and overall professionalism.

“It has long been our goal to welcome children into the world of classical music in the most interactive way possible,” said KUSC President Brenda Barnes. “With the combined talents of Dr. Jama Laurent of the Creative Kids Educational Foundation, and Ann Zumwinkle of Zumwinkle.com, this goal has become a reality.”

The Hansel & Gretel website program invites children to produce and direct their own version of the classic tale, while listening to the opera. Choosing costuming and set production options are a few of the interactive opportunities.

According to the announcement by IMA, KUSC’s team won the award by successfully passing through a comprehensive judging system and by adhering to specific guidelines and criteria. In this way, judges were able to maintain the highest degree of fairness and integrity.

To help your family direct its own version of the classic opera, visit KUSC.org and click on Games, then Hansel and Gretel.

ABOUT CLASSICAL KUSC

Classical KUSC is one of the largest and most listened to non-profit classical music stations in the country. KUSC is dedicated to preserving classical music as a living art. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Classical KUSC uses digital transmission technology to broadcast commercial-free uninterrupted classical performances. The non-profit, listener-supported station has been broadcasting for over 60 years. The station is a broadcast service of the University of Southern California at 91.5(FM) in Los Angeles; 88.5 KPSC in Palm Springs; 91.l KDSC in Thousand Oaks, 88.7 KQSC in Santa Barbara, and 99.7 KESC in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo. For more information, please visit www.kusc.org.